As a well-trained soldier, he constantly reminded himself to be cautious, not to be arrogant, and to think that everything was under his control.
Many of those who had gone through mountains of blades and seas of blood understood that complacency would only result in becoming a stepping stone for others.
The caravan had traveled for ten days according to the plan, and they were already one-third of the way there. In another three days or so, they would reach the last major transit station in the Elven Empire, which was also Noda's "base" — Karo City.
Everything was carried out in an orderly manner, like a calm lake without any ripples.
The noise of the carriages running over the road became the theme song of the journey. The caravan's entourage gradually became listless. After all, the constant traveling every day was too much for these ordinary people with average stamina.
The interlude of the journey was when Noda and Noda found out on the first night of camping that the cold and beautiful woman whom Noda had pestered at the Mercenary Guild was actually Big Beard Carl's daughter. So, Noda gloomily hugged the fragrant roasted meat and bread and sat quietly in the corner to eat, afraid that she would find out about him.
Many, with a harmless smile on their faces, tried to persuade him to try to get close to her. Maybe she would see that he was handsome and agree to go out with him?
When Noda came back with a red handprint on his face, Many laughed and sprayed the wine they had just drunk on Noda's face.
* * *
Everything was peaceful, and the journey gradually became dull.
The mercenaries escorting the caravan were mostly warriors and archers. There were very few scouts, and there were no spellcasters. But it did not matter. With their current level, it was enough to deal with small-scale conflicts and large magical beasts below the eighth grade.
But enough strength did not make many let down their guard. Everyone, including Noda, patrolled and escorted according to their duties.
When there was still a day's journey to Karo City, the slowly moving caravan suddenly sounded in front of them, signifying an enemy attack!
When the scout in front blew the horn, none of the mercenaries panicked. Instead, they methodically picked up their weapons and quickly shrank their defense according to the rehearsed formation, protecting the caravan and the carriages in the middle.
Everything happened too fast.
Far ahead on the main road, a scout on horseback returned with an arrow stuck in his left shoulder. When he saw the troops, he endured the pain and shouted at them, "There's an ambush!
There are archers! "
At this time, he had already run to the front of the team. Immediately, a mercenary with a shield rushed up and pulled him down. Under the cover of the mercenary, he was dragged back into the battle formation.
In the face of this sudden attack, Many and Noda quickly entered stealth. Many picked up their crossbows, while Noda unsheathed his longsword. The two of them stood guard outside the team.
However, the person on the other side seemed to be bluffing, shooting a few harmless arrows from afar before disappearing without a trace.
"What is going on?"
After confirming that it was safe, Noda revealed himself from the air. He sheathed both his swords at the same time and asked in a slightly puzzled tone.
Many eyes narrowed as they twirled the dagger in their hands. "Looks like we're in trouble."
"Hmm?" Noda raised his head and looked into the distance. "Do you know who it is?"
"The dregs of the Bloodhand Bandits. It's time to settle the score with you."
Many seemed to be answering Noda's words, but also seemed to be talking to themselves. In their minds, they were thinking about the bright red cuffs of the archers in the distance.
The injured scout was not seriously injured. After emergency treatment, the result of the report was that when they were patrolling in the front, they were suddenly shot by an archer that appeared out of nowhere. One was killed and the other was injured.
Hearing this answer, Many felt depressed. You didn't even know what happened to the enemy, and you went to investigate?
Did you think you were looking at the scenery?
However, the safety situation of the past few days, coupled with the fact that the enemy was in the dark and they were out in the open, led to this kind of incident.
And it was just a bunch of rookie mercenaries!
Their vigilance was too poor!
Many shook their heads and silently followed the team.
However, what was strange was that the team did not encounter any other attacks until they camped at night. This feeling was like the calm before the storm, somewhat oppressive and suffocating.
During dinner, the captain ordered a level one combat readiness, so that everyone could be ready for battle at any time. They even took turns to eat, and half of the mercenaries were ready to defend at any time.
Many could not help but shake their heads. Were the bandits as stupid as you think?
They stood you up for a day and then attacked you at night?
Not to mention the visibility problem of fighting at night, just the fact that their caravan was in a level one combat readiness state meant that they would not be afraid even if there were more bandits than them. If Many was the captain of the bandit group, he would not make such a common sense mistake.
Seeing the whole camp tense up as if they were facing a great enemy, Many wanted to remind them, but they held back. After all, if they were to tell them, "You've fallen into their trap!"
This was no different from challenging the captain's authority and creating a situation where everyone was not united. Moreover, if the bandits were not that smart and really charged at them in the middle of the night, then they might become sinners.
The people in the caravan looked calm, and Big Beard's generous pacification speech was considered successful. The morale of the whole team was not low, but of course, it was not high either. After all, they lost a comrade for no reason during the day, and no one would not care.
When the caravan found the corpse of that unlucky comrade, it was actually stripped to his underwear!
It made people sigh at the ability of this group of bandits to pluck feathers from wild geese, but it also made the cowardly followers in the caravan secretly fearful.
Big Beard Carl was also a little helpless about the guy who frequently went to the toilet because he was nervous.
As for the iceberg girl who slapped Noda, she was still calm at the moment, but her evasive and flickering eyes showed that she was still very nervous.
Noda came back after circling the periphery of the camp, and sat by the campfire to maintain his dagger as if nothing had happened.
Many crossbows were placed beside him, and the crossbow was already on the string. The steel dagger in his hand was like a dancing butterfly, flashing with light. Many's wrist did not tremble at all, which made him very calm. He was clearly different from the other mercenaries who were slightly trembling because of the excessive adrenaline secretion.
The people in the camp seemed to be suppressed by an invisible cover, and even the voices of people were a lot quieter.
At night, there was still no abnormality in the camp.
The captain ordered a third of the mercenaries to be on night duty, and the rest of the mercenaries slept in their clothes to deal with the possible attack at any time.
Many and Noda were on the list of mercenaries on night duty, but the two of them did not complain. They sneaked in a corner and quietly stood guard. It was strange that there were so many mercenaries, but there were only five scouts. Four of them could sneak, and two of them were the ones who went out to scout during the day. One was dead, and the other was injured. Only Many and Noda could hide.
To be able to cultivate dark energy and sneak, it indeed required talent and unremitting effort, just like how a mage needed a strong elemental affinity. This was also why there were more warrior professions than scout and mage professions.
The loud snoring that appeared every night in the caravan's camp had now disappeared.
Quiet!
It was frighteningly quiet!
Even the mercenaries on night duty did not dare to breathe loudly. The feeling of oppression made them feel as if they were holding their breath.
"Someone's coming!"
Noda's voice was like a whisper drifting along with the wind. However, many people were able to hear it with their sharp sense of hearing. After that, they carefully observed their surroundings.
Noda's judgment was not wrong, but he did not alarm everyone in the camp. First, he judged that the enemies were all assassin professions that could sneak, and if he notified them now, he might beat the grass and alert them. Second, he had almost 30 people on night duty, and the odds of winning were very high. If he could not get rid of the enemies in one go, then he was afraid that they would be like maggots in a tarsal bone for the rest of the journey.
Previously, he had set up a few alarm traps outside the camp. Once triggered, there would be some signals that ordinary people would not be able to distinguish, which would let Noda know the situation.
"Your right!
At least three. "
The sounds of insects and birds that couldn't be any more ordinary sounded from the forest, but this became the basis for Noda's judgment.
Many of them were armed with repeating crossbows and stood in the shadows.
As a former sniper, Many actually did not like close combat. Almost every time he fought with his life in close combat, it was almost not because he had no choice, because he was more used to killing enemies from afar.
But reality often made things difficult for him.
Many heard a light exhalation in front of them, and quietly squinted their eyes.
There was only one bonfire in the camp that was still lit, but the light was weak. If one was more than 50 meters away, they could only rely on the weak moonlight to see.
Many, who was in stealth mode, was not discovered by the enemies. He slowly raised his crossbow, held his breath, and stared at the slightly moving grass on the ground.
In three seconds, Many, who had amazing eyesight, was able to determine the specific location of the people who were slowly moving in front of him based on the grass that was being pushed down. Then, without hesitation, he quickly aimed and pulled the trigger!
Three crossbow bolts with amazing penetrating power shot forward towards the seemingly empty forest. The sudden sound of the crossbow bolts made the surrounding mercenaries who had already relaxed a little nervous suddenly tense up!
Three screams sounded almost at the same time!
Three black silhouettes that had been hit by arrows suddenly appeared in the air!
All three crossbow bolts pierced through their chests!
Many quickly threw away their crossbows, and just as they were about to take out their daggers, they suddenly felt a chill on their backs, and their hair stood on end!
Danger!
Many did not hesitate to rush forward!
A beam of cold light flashed, and a handful of blood splattered.
Many were shocked. They turned around and looked back, only to see a skinny figure appear from where they had just been standing, and the scimitar in his hand had a smear of blood.
Many stopped moving, and immediately felt a sharp pain in their backs. Although they had dodged, they still could not avoid the strange and unpredictable sword of the opponent!
Many did not hesitate to stand up and fight, but found that the old wounds on their backs that had not yet healed burst open!
The intense pain and muscle damage caused many to turn pale in an instant.
Looking up, the person in front of them was wearing tight leather armor, and in his hands were two scimitars that were shaped like crescent moons. What was surprising was that one of the scimitars was curved inside, and the other curved outside. It looked very strange!
The clothes of the opponent looked a little old, and the leather armor was dull, as if it had not been maintained for a long time. At the same time, the smear of red on the cuffs of the cuffs made many understand the identity of the person who came. At the same time, the layers of linen wrapped around his face made many unable to see his face, but only his dull eyes —
Undead!
Many immediately thought of this word!
Because his ashen and lifeless eyes were exactly the same as that crazy fellow who wanted to perish together with many others!
Many tried to stand up, and the sharp pain made his hands a little unsteady, but he still held the dagger horizontally in front of him, without any intention of retreating!
From the three stealthy assassins being killed to the time when many jumped forward to dodge the scimitars and turned around to prepare, everything happened in less than two breaths.
More than 20 mercenaries who were on guard in the camp were just about to come to help, but found that seven or eight of their companions had already fallen in fear!
The fatal wound on their necks was especially obvious!
To their horror, they discovered that the entire team on night duty had been silently surrounded!
Noda's intelligence was wrong!
The number of opponents was beyond imagination!